India and France Affirm Closer Defense Ties in 20th Joint Staff Talks in Paris

The 20th edition of Joint Staff talks between India and France was held from April 12-13 with a focus on strengthening bilateral defense engagement. 

The Ministry of Defence has said in an official statement that the 20th edition of the India-France Joint Staff talks was held in Paris. During the staff talks, discussions focused on new initiatives under the ambit of existing bilateral defense cooperation mechanisms and on strengthening ongoing defense engagements. 

The India-France Joint Staff talks is a forum established to improve defense cooperation between both nations through regular talks at the strategic and operational levels. 

In January 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed on staying in touch and enhancing all-around strategic cooperation between India and France.